I photographed so many birds today that I can’t get them all processed to show tonight, so they’ll come tomorrow.
Above was sunrise from my room and below where I road in a safari jeep on the hotel property photographing birds and at bottom the sunset today. Lots of bird photos coming tomorrow!
The Wetlands around Rancho Humo Estancia, Costa RicaAnother fabulous end to another fabulous day – Rancho Humo!
Northwest Costa Rica, the Guanacaste Province, is mostly flat, dry and generally with more sun than rain with lots of cattle ranching. Today Walter drove me to and through this area of Costa Rica for my 5-night stay at Rancho Humo where it is near the end of Rainy Season, so nice and green now! Above photo is from my room deck when I arrived. Here’s a few shots enroute and on the first of 6 days at “Home on the Range.”
First a Turkey Vulture soared overhead like a messenger from God, then 3 simple birds landed in 3 different trees and I felt close to God during breakfast today – even without colorful, rare or gorgeous birds – just plain birds smiling at me as I smiled back!
Birds in My Garden at Breakfast Today
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
My heart is like a singing bird.
~Christina Rossetti
And tomorrow morning, Saturday, I leave for Palo Verde National Park. See yesterday’s post for more information.
Some youth in the city of Alajuela left a sidewalk chalk message for pedestrians the other day: something like “Be aware of the city and REDUCE pollution!”
I took my camera out for a later breakfast today and though earlier is better, I did get shots of these three familiar friends. I include two of the dove because front view and back view is always different! Click image to see larger.
Tres amigos
Gray-capped Flycatcher
White-winged Dove
Melodious Blackbird
White-winged Dove
Hope is the thing with feathers
‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – And sore must be the storm – That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land – And on the strangest Sea – Yet – never – in Extremity, It asked a crumb – of me.
And as I very slowly move smaller and older photos from my old PBase galleries I am currently working on all of my Africa travel photos in a different location (Pre-Costa Rica TRAVELS) within my big SmugMug Gallery and today I’m working on my Gambia Birds Sub Gallery, which is interesting for the large variety of birds found there, though most of the photos are of poor quality. I Photographed then on a cheap old film camera without a long lense and later scanned 4×6 prints at too low a resolution affecting the quality more. Though I got half a dozen good bird shots on the 2009 revisit of The Gambia with my better digital camera. Just another part of my Birds Collection from the past. Later I will try to add what few birds I photographed in the states.
Also with the Africa Travel galleries are these with East African birds:
The other day I grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl on my counter to cut up on a morning bowl of cereal and there was a chunk missing. I did not think Geckos ate fruit nor any insect was big enough to do that – so it is still a mystery or I was wrong about Geckos! For now my bananas are in the frig! 🙂
I planted this Cecropia Tree (guarumo tree to Ticos) nearly 3 years ago having heard they attract toucans and in fact my photos of toucans in other locations are frequently in Cecropia Trees. Well, it grew fast but only one other time have I seen a toucan in it and before I could get my camera, he was gone! This morning at breakfast I had my camera with me when this Keel-billed Toucan AND a Montezuma Oropendola flew together into my tree. I got a few shots before they flew. So I’m happy with my Cecropia Tree now! ¡Pura Vida!
Keel-billed Toucan on my Terrace, Atenas, Costa Rica
Montezuma Oropendola on my terrace, Atenas, Costa RicaWHERE THEY LANDED: The Cecropia Tree by my terrace, Atenas, Costa Rica While I ate breakfast on that table.
Hear how the birds, on every blooming spray, With joyous music wake the dawning day.
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
~Psalm 118:24 Living Bible
Photo above of sunset on Calle Barroeta, Atenas, Costa Rica tonight just before dinner with the Maizan’s. Below are some shots with Paul & Keri Maizan, their daughter Kara and her nanny at their vacation rental house in Atenas. We had a very nice Tico Dinner prepared by their chef of the evening Guillermo. A not-touristy vacation in Atenas!
